Official Media Release

Singleton To Benefit From NSW Government $1 Billion Water Security Program

December 6, 2018

Michael Johnsen MP, Member for Upper Hunter today announced the NSW Government will allocate funding toward the delivery of a safe and secure water supply to the Upper Hunter region under the Liberals and Nationals flagship $1 billion Safe & Secure Water program.

Under the Liberals and Nationals Safe & Secure Water Program, Singleton Shire Council has been awarded $12,500 in funding to undertake a study for the replacement of a new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and telemetry network for the Council’s 57 sites.

“It’s important that we have the best systems in place possible to effectively manage the water supply to the Singleton area. This funding is the first step towards a more secure and better managed water supply for our local community.

“The Nationals in Government are committed to fuelling real economic growth, public health and socioeconomic outcomes through vital infrastructure investment”, Mr Johnsen said.

“A new system to manage water assets including treatment plants, pumping stations and reservoirs will improve the reliability and functionality of the Singleton Shire Council’s water supply and sewerage networks.

“The NSW Government recognises the pivotal role that water and waste-water services play in regional prosperity and long-term growth of communities.

“Across regional NSW, 1.9 million people depend on safe, secure, affordable and sustainable water and sewerage services. With drought ever-present, we recognised the need to maximise the impact of the program, and took appropriate action.

“We are focusing on real and pressing issues, and taking a forward-thinking approach to ensuring regional communities – like those of ours in the Upper Hunter – can and will thrive through smart investment in water infrastructure.

“We have slashed red tape for the program to ensure all communities have the opportunity to reach their full potential through access to reliable and high-quality water.

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said the funding would contribute to an important project.

“Council is very pleased to receive $12,500 to assist in the costs of an audit of our existing telemetry and SCADA systems to inform the scope of the upgrade of our equipment,” she said.

“Together, the telemetry and SCADA systems control the automation of water and sewer operations including treatment plants, reservoir levels and pump stations.

“This equipment is vital to the supply of safe and high quality water and sewer services to our community, and the audit is an important first step in a two-year replacement project to ensure our customers benefit from the best system possible.”

“No matter where you are from, whether it’s Denman or Gloucester, or Quirindi or Dungog, the NSW Government is standing by rural and regional communities and is ready to support their future growth,” Mr Johnsen concluded.

The Safe & Secure Water Program means regional communities will be able to build new and upgraded water infrastructure faster than ever as the NSW Government scraps red tape for its Safe and Secure Water program.

The NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program ensures regional NSW communities have access to high quality, reliable and affordable water that meets modern environmental and health standards.

Further information on the Safe & Secure Water Program can be found here.